CANBERRA – Indian athletes were facing investigations on Saturday after thediscovery of syringes in their accommodation during commonwealth games inAustralia.

A cleaner at the athletes’ village tipped off authorities about thesyringes, which will now be analysed, Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)chief executive David Grevemberg said. He added that the Commonwealth Gameshas a “no-needles” policy for athletes — and “zero tolerance” for doping.

The Indian team denied any wrongdoing or that the syringes were even intheir rooms. “The CGF medical commission responded to a report from acleaner of the presence of needles in the athletes’ accommodation in theGames village,” Grevemberg said.

“Under the 2018 Commonwealth Games anti-doping standard, a no-needle policyapplies to athletes for the entire Games period, unless under approvedexemptions.”

He added: “If analytical evidence indicates it’s worth a follow-up, the CGFmedical commission will follow these procedures as set out in theanti-doping standard.”

Grevemberg refused to reveal whether athletes at the accommodation wouldundergo extra testing, stressing that the “element of surprise” wasimportant in catching drug cheats.

“Obviously, we don’t want athletes that are cheating on the field of playor in the Games,” he said.

However, India team manager, Ajay Narang, denied the needles were anythingto do with them, saying they were found inside a water bottle on a pathoutside.

“One of my guys reported that to us. I had a look and could see these weresyringes,” Narang told AFP.

“As a good citizen, I immediately went to the Medical Commission office foranalysis and disposal. We didn’t open the bottle at all.” – APP/AFP